How do you think they'd react?

If Link were to die, I think Zelda's reaction would be mutely sad and stoic to most. She would have to keep up with the "Princess-Pillar-Of-Strength" image, though she would probably be very, very sad on the inside. Had they been together beforehand I don't see her becoming romantically involved with someone else, or at least not out of a genuine desire to love again - maybe to prolong the bloodline. As for Zelda dying....hmmm...it depends, for me.

If it were platonic love or friendship or camaraderie that they had going on or if Zelda had just plain died - of sickness or something else beyond Link's immediate sphere of control - then I see him leaving Hyrule, saddened and with no reason to keep contact with a human circle he never belonged in. I just don't see him taking orders from the royal guard or the king or regent, you know? That was Zelda's privilege He'd still be hero, albeit at a lesser scale of both obstacle difficulty and personal drive.

Now if it there were strong romantic involvement or if Zelda had died at Link's expense - there are many ways this can happen but I don't wanna name them - then I see Link getting very angry at himself, throwing his life for the deceased's cause until he has triumphed in his drive for revenge and justice. I don't think he'd go suicidal, but he would probably be an unstable individual with severe anger issues, having never gotten over his loss o_O I still see him leaving the country...

Thinking about this has made me go all angsty

If Gannondorf or someone else killed the Princess, Link will be VERY angry. And I think that he won’t rest till he killed her murderer.
And than ‘say goodbye’ to her and go away to another land and defended all the people there. Still thinking of Zelda.
Till he die.

Zelda, would be heart-broken but she will still rule here country and be a good princess.
She knows her duties towards the people. She will not abandon them.
She will be strong on the outside, but on the inside she is broken.

Well, I think it'd all depend on which Link or Zelda died. Remember, there are various Links and Zeldas, and they each have their own personality.

OoT Link would probably end up becoming like Cloud Strife. He'd prolly be pretty angsty, but not so much like a Squall-type character. He's been alone since he was an infant, and he has to leave his best friend twice- once for each side of the timeline. He'd handle it well physically, but mentally... I think it'd probably tear him apart inside. If he actually let himself get into a deep, loving relationship with Zelda (meaning actual physical and verbal love), it'd probably be the last time he could handle losing somebody so close to him. He lost his best friend, Saria, his mentor and partner, Navi, his father figure, The Great Deku Tree, so losing Zelda would probably just slowly eat away at him until he either shut out emotion altogether or lost a bit of his sanity.

However, TWW Link would probably handle it much differently. While he's seen and been through a lot, he's still a child. And, as a child, his "romantic" feelings toward Tetra/Zelda wouldn't come close to that of an older version of Link. He'd handle it horribly, of course, much like any other child would. Consider the way a child reacts when they lose a family member- he'd cry and possible throw a fit. He might be like some children and become mute or have a lot of mental damage done, or he could be like other children and be scarred for life but still able to handle it better and better as he aged.
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Now, what about Zelda? TP Zelda would most likely retain her regal image- calm and almost stoic. She'd care, but she wouldn't show it. It'd hurt her inside, yes, but as royalty, she'd raised to be mentally strong. She'd understand that she still had a land to take care of, and the love she had for her people would help her keep her sanity. She'd probably cry when she was out of sight, but she'd still be able to handle it.

But, like Link, a different Zelda would have a different reaction. OoT Zelda would handle it much like TP Zelda, but she'd be more sensitive, I think. She'd probably cry more often and it'd get to her more, but she'd still keep her reserve for her country's sake. I imagine, though, that losing her hero and her true love would probably cause a drastic change in her character, causing her to become a bit harder emotionally. She'd still be the kind, loving princess, but she'd be a lot less innocent.

EDIT: Anybody see the movie, Elizabeth? That's how I'd see Zelda if Link were to die. Elizabeth was heartbroken and torn apart on the inside. She even lost her temper a little bit (common action for somebody like us, but out of the question for royalty) after her heart was broken, but she was still able to lead her people to prosperity.

I'd think if Zelda died, Link would go into a fiery rage. Go terrorize the land as a bandit for a year or two, then take his own life. Depressing. Or maybe he would move on and take Malon, or somtin. I know some people do not agree with me, but the best for a scenario like that is to find somebody else.

The same thing will happen to Hyrule, but for different reasons. Zelda'll either go into depression, the land will fall into disrepair, havoc will rule, plague and sickness will drown the land. Then, Zelda will take her life and join Link in holy slumber. Or she will take up a sword and go avenge Link. I mean TP, you see Zelda can use a sword. I mean she was taught by me, the Sword Master.

This what will Link react if someone kills Zelda.
(skip to 2:40)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TyM4UN1DofQ&feature=user

This is from Super Smash Bros. Brawl

I can't wait for the game!!

...wow. I can't wait either. Well, I think it it's safe to say he has feelings for her.

...wow. I can't wait either. Well, I think it it's safe to say he has feelings for her.

Agreed. He looked freakin' PISSED ;o

He'd be more dan pissed. He'd turn crazy and devastate the world!!!!!!! Run folks, run!!!

Yes! I just got to that part last night. I squeed

Super Smash Brothers Brawl looks soo AWESOME! Oh, how I wish I had the Wii... *sniffle*

This particular game seems to really hint towards a deep emotional connection between the two, otherwise Link would not have reacted in that kind of manner with such aggression.

Now, back on topic... I'd say that Link would probably fall into a depression, one of which would cause him to remain by himself in his solitude. I think he would never get over the death of Zelda, as even in reality you never really get over a person's death. And, depending on the individual it affects them in different ways. Link would probably avoid relationships with others for fear of losing them and because he would always feel that his heart belonged to Zelda. Really, if she died a part of him would die also; after something like that happens it changes a person forever. He wouldn't go on a violent rampage though and kill innocent people.

Zelda I'd say would probably do the same; she'd remain distant, not wanting to form close relationships with anyone. Again I picture her as a lone figure, and if she did remain loyal to her throne she would be one of those Princesses/Queens who never married, finding someone to take over the throne later on after her passing.

I thought of a good comparison!

In Rurouni Kenshin, Kenshin left the battlefield after he had killed Tomoe to become a wanderer. If Zelda died, I wonder if Link would abandon his sword... well, I suppose that would depend on whether he would have killed her or not... and I don't think he'd leave his duty as the hero. But maybe he'd just wander and wander with no point at all?

...Fanfiction idea!!

I think this song best describes how either one would feel should something happen to one of them.


Artist : Diamond Rio
Song : I Believe

Lyrics :

Every now and then,
Soft as breath upon my skin,
I feel you come back again,
And it's like you haven't been,
Gone a moment from my side
Like the tears were never cried
Like the hands of time are holding you and me

And with all my heart I'm sure,
We're closer than we ever were
I don't have to hear or see,
I've got all the proof I need
There are more than angels watching over me
I believe
Oh, I believe

Now when you die your life goes on
It doesn't end here when you're gone
Every soul is filled with light,
It never ends and if I'm right,
Our love can even reach across eternity
I believe
Oh, I believe

Forever, you're a part of me
Forever, in the heart of me
I will hold you even longer if I can
Oh, the people who don't see the most,
Say that I believe in ghosts
If that makes me crazy, then I am,
'Cause I believe

Oh I believe

Instrumental Break

There are more than angels watching over me
I believe
Oh, I believe

Every now and then,
Soft as breath upon my skin,
I feel you come back again,
And I believe

What depressing thoughts... It makes me sad thinking about it...

I think Link would at first get really angry and avenge her, but then he would probably just give up. I don't think he'd kill himself, but he'd probably give up his sword. Without Zelda, he'd feel without a purpose, like there was no point in protecting a Hyrule led by someone else. I think he'd just go back to the forest, or somewhere isolated, and maybe visit her grave once a year.

Zelda would probably be crushed, maybe blame herself. She'd survive for a while, since she'd know she had a duty to fulfill for her kingdom, but I think it would slowly wittle away at her, day after day, until there was nothing left. She might go a little crazy... Scary thoughts...